A challenge in future transportation research and planning: paper presented at the Conference "Energy Technologies for a Sustainable Future", Paul Scherrer Institute, Villigen, 24.11.2000

Abstract

To understand the future challenge for transportation research and planning, we must make a clear distinction between "mobility" and "transportation". Mobility is understood to be the ca- pability or possibility of changing position within a specific system (space, society, economy, etc.). On the other hand "transportation" is "spatial mobility", that is the capability or possibility of changing position within a spatial system (change of location, overcoming of space by peo- ple, goods, energy, communication). Mobility is an expression of the quality of life in the sense of satisfying material and immaterial needs (welfare, prosperity, well-being). Within this, transportation is one of the means of im- plementing mobility. It serves the purpose of overcoming the incongruity between the spatial and material structure of the living space (settlement and landscape) and the functionally im- material structures of life (society and economy). The growth of the transport system (transport infrastructure, transport performance) is over- proportional to that of the population and the economy. The limits within which ecology, econ- omy and society can tolerate it have been partly reached or even overstepped. This development is in conflict with the aim of sustainable development. Sustainable development as "a development that meets the needs of the present without com- promising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs" (WCED 1987) is more than protection of the environment. It implies the growth and maintenance of a dynamic balance between the three key factors "environmental protection", "efficient economy" and "solidly so- ciety". Therefore, the main aim of a sustainable transport development - that is a development which would be compatible with environment, economy and society - must be: less traffic but same mobility. For realising this aim transport development must keep to the triple S principle: Saving: Reduce the demand for transportation Shifting: Shift traffic on to a less harmful means of transport Smoothing: Make traffic bearable for society, economy and environment The basis for implementing this principle applies not only to the narrower area of planning transport systems (transport infrastructure, means of transport, transport services) but just as much to the directing of demand for transportation. The need as well as the range for action to direct the demand for transportation are not insignificant. However, the area for action is largely in the material and immaterial environments of the transport system (regional planning, econ- omy, society). Therefore, transportation research and planning must in future concentrate much more than heretofore on the correlations between the transport system and its material and im- material environments.